Instructions for the Church

1 Timothy 5

1 b Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, c younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows d who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn e to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for f this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She g who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and h continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but i she who is self-indulgent is j dead even while she lives. 7 k Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for l members of his household, he has m denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been n the wife of one husband, 1 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has n shown hospitality, o has washed the feet of the saints, has p cared for the afflicted, and has q devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when r their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also s gossips and t busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have u younger widows marry, bear children, v manage their households, and w give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 x For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those y who are truly widows.

17 Let the elders z who rule well be considered worthy of a double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, b "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, c "The laborer deserves his wages." 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except d on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, e rebuke them in the presence of all, f so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels g I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, h doing nothing from partiality. 22 i Do not be hasty in the j laying on of hands, nor k take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but l use a little wine m for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and n even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

1 Timothy 6

1 o Let all who are under a yoke as slaves 2 regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, p so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.

  1. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:32
    You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.
  2. Cross References
    Titus 2:6
    Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
  3. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:5
    She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
    1 Timothy 5:16
    If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 15:4 - 6
    For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.
    Mark 7:10 - 13
    For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.
    Ephesians 6:1 - 2
    Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
    Genesis 45:9 - 11
    Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry.
  5. Cross References
    1 Timothy 2:3
    This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.
  6. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:3
    Honor widows who are truly widows.
    1 Timothy 5:16
    If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
  7. Cross References
    Luke 2:37
    And then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
    Luke 18:1 - 5
    And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
  8. Cross References
    James 5:5
    You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
    Ezekiel 16:49
    Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.
  9. Cross References
    Revelation 3:1
    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
  10. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:11
    Command and teach these things.
    1 Timothy 6:2
    Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
  11. Cross References
    Galatians 6:10
    So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
  12. Cross References
    Revelation 2:13
    'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
    2 Timothy 3:5
    Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
    Titus 1:16
    They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
    2 Peter 2:1
    But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
    Revelation 3:8
    'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
  13. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:2
    Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
  14. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:9
    Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband.
  15. Cross References
    Genesis 18:4
    Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
  16. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:16
    If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
  17. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:18
    They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.
  18. Cross References
    Revelation 18:3
    For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.
    Revelation 18:7
    As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, 'I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.
    Revelation 18:9
    And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning.
  19. Cross References
    3 John 1:10
    So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
  20. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:11
    For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
    1 Peter 4:15
    But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
  21. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:9
    But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
  22. Cross References
    Titus 2:5
    To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
  23. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:1
    Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
    Titus 2:5
    To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
    Titus 2:8
    And sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
  24. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:20
    Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
  25. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:3
    Honor widows who are truly widows.
    1 Timothy 5:5
    She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
  26. Cross References
    Romans 12:8
    The one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
    1 Thessalonians 5:12
    We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you.
    1 Corinthians 12:28
    And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
  27. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 21:17
    But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.
  28. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:9
    For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
    Deuteronomy 25:4
    You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
  29. Cross References
    Matthew 10:10
    No bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor san...
    Luke 10:7
    And remain in the same house, eating and drinki...
    Leviticus 19:13
    You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him....
    Deuteronomy 24:15
    You shall give him his wages on the same day, b...
    1 Corinthians 9:4
    Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
    1 Corinthians 9:7 - 14
    Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who...
  30. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 25:4
    You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
  31. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 19:15
    A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.
  32. Cross References
    Titus 1:13
    This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.
    Titus 2:15
    Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
  33. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 13:11
    And all Israel shall hear and fear and never again do any such wickedness as this among you.
  34. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:13
    I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession.
    2 Timothy 2:14
    Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
    2 Timothy 4:1
    I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
  35. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:16
    From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.
  36. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:10
    And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
  37. Cross References
    Acts 6:6
    These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
  38. Cross References
    2 John 1:11
    For whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
  39. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:8
    Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
  40. Cross References
    Psalms 104:15
    And wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.
  41. Cross References
    Psalms 37:6
    He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
    Proverbs 10:9
    Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
  42. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:18
    Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
  43. Cross References
    Isaiah 52:5
    Now therefore what have I here," declares the Lord, "seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail," declares the Lord, "and continually all the day my name is despised.
    Romans 2:24
    For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.
    Titus 2:5
    To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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